Blue Jays, Yankees commence set in the Bronx

(Sports Network) - Mark Buehrle tries to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to
consecutive wins on Thursday when they begin a four-game set with the New York
Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

That may be easier said than done, though, as Buehrle has struggled against
the Yankees over the course of his career, posting a 1-8 lifetime mark against
them with a 6.03 ERA in 13 starts.

That wasn't the case for Buehrle, who is 1-0 on the year with a 5.87 ERA, on
Saturday, but he still did not get a win against them. Buehrle did not get a
decision on Saturday against the Yankees, as he gave up three runs (2 earned)
and seven hits in seven innings of a 5-3 loss. He also struck out seven in
that one and walked a batter.

Toronto salvaged the finale of its series with the Baltimore Orioles on
Wednesday, as Maicer Izturis walked with the bases loaded in the top of the
11th inning to lift the Blue Jays to a 6-5 win at Camden Yards.

Baltimore closer Jim Johnson (1-2) retired the first two batters in the 11th
before giving up consecutive singles to J.P. Arencibia and Munenori Kawasaki
and hitting Brett Lawrie with a pitch. Johnson then tossed four straight
pitches to Izturis that were out of the strike zone.

Casey Janssen recorded two strikeouts while securing his sixth save of the
season in the bottom of the frame.

Rajai Davis, Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and J.P. Arencibia all homered
in the win for the Blue Jays, who have won just two of their last six games.

"We didn't win the series, but we've got a lot to look forward to," Davis
said. "We've got a lot more season left. We're looking forward to winning some
more games."

New York, meanwhile, has lost three of four after dropping the rubber match of
a three-game series to the Tampa Bay Rays, 3-0, on Wednesday.

Andy Pettitte (3-1) suffered his first defeat after yielding seven hits and
three runs -- two earned -- over six full frames. The veteran lefty did strike
out a season-high 10 batters in the loss for New York, which had taken two of
three from the Blue Jays last weekend.

Hoping to get the Yankees back on the right track Thursday will be Japanese
righty Hiroki Kuroda, who also didn't get a decision in his start on Saturday
versus the Blue Jays. Kuroda pitched well, though, surrendering just one run
and three hits in 7 1/3 frames. He also fanned seven batters with a walk in
his team's triumph.

"His slider was really good," manager Joe Girardi said. "He used it really
effectively against the right-handers. He used his split pretty effectively,
threw some early curveballs. He just mixed his pitches. He gave us a great
outing again."

Kuroda has surrendered just one run over his last two starts.

On the injury front, the Yankees could have third baseman Kevin Youkilis back
in the lineup on Thursday. He has missed the last four games with lower back
tightness.